Audiobooks narrated by John Hurt

War and Peace: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Paterson Joseph, John Hurt, Lesley Manville and Harriet Walter are among the stellar cast of this landmark BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Leo Tolstoy’s epic saga. ‘Tolstoy’s imagined world is recreated on air brilliantly by the extraordinary cast’ The Spectator One of the greatest novels of all time, War and Peace explores historical, social, ethical and religious issues on a scale never before attempted in fiction, and reflects the panorama of life at every level of Russian society during the 19th Century. Adapted for radio by Timberlake Wertenbaker, this riveting, wide-ranging drama follows the fortunes of four Russian aristocratic families during the Napoleonic War. Told in flashback over ten episodes, it moves from fashionable society soirées in St Petersburg and Moscow to the battlefields of Austerlitz and Borodino, as protagonists Pierre, Natasha, Marya and Nikolai describe to their children the events that shaped their lives and those of every Russian who lived through this turbulent time. First broadcast on New Year's Day 2015, this dynamic full-cast dramatisation features specially composed music by Stephen Warbeck. It stars Paterson Joseph as Pierre, Phoebe Fox as Natasha, Natasha Little as Marya and Sam Reid as Nikolai, part of a stunning cast including Alun Armstrong, Simon Russell Beale and Roger Allam. Duration: 10 hours approx.

Leo Tolstoy (Author), , Harriet Walter, John Hurt, Lesley Manville, Paterson Joseph (Narrator)

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The Divine Comedy: Inferno; Purgatorio; Paradiso

Blake Ritson, David Warner, Hattie Morahan and John Hurt star in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Dante's epic poem.Inferno: Thirty-five year old Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood, in extreme personal and spiritual crisis. Hope of rescue appears in the form of the venerable poet Virgil, now a shade himself, who offers to lead Dante on an odyssey through the afterlife, beginning in the terrifying depths of Hell.Purgatorio: Dante is led up Mount Purgatory by his guide. They encounter numerous souls who have embarked on the same difficult journey - one that will eventually lead to their spiritual salvation. Paradiso: Dante's journey comes to a glorious conclusion as he is led by Beatrice, through the spheres of Paradise and into the presence of God himself. As they ascend, they encounter a number of souls who have also achieved blessedness.Many years later, the older Dante reflects on the episodes from his life that have inspired his great poem.

Dante Alighieri, Stephen Wyatt (Author), , Blake Ritson, David Warner, Hattie Morahan, John Hurt (Narrator)

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Madame Bovary: A full-cast BBC Radio dramatisation

John Hurt stars in this BBC radio dramatisation of Gustave Flaubert’s infamous tale of adultery and tragedy Beautiful Emma meets and marries Doctor Charles Bovary. He's happy for the first time in his life – but Emma is distraught that her marriage lacks the passion and romance of her fantasies. Dazzled by the splendour of a Marquis’ ball, she longs for excitement and soon becomes infatuated with a young solicitor, Léon Dupuis. But when Dupuis moves away, her memories of him lead her to despair – and into the arms of wealthy landowner, Rodolphe Boulanger. As she moves from one illicit liaison to another, Emma’s complicated life begins to unravel. Exhausted from her debts and her affairs, she feels she is left with only one course of action… A French masterpiece of betrayal and wantonness, Flaubert’s notorious novel features Sarah Smart as Emma Bovary, Conrad Nelson as Charles, Jude Akuwudike as Rodolphe and James D’Arcy as Léon. Cast and credits Narrator – John Hurt Charles – Conrad Nelson Emma – Sarah Smart Madame Bovary Snr – Brigit Forsyth Monsieur Rouault/Maître Guillaumin – Russell Dixon Viscomte/Dr Lariviere – Martin Reeve Nastasie/Mère Rollet – Julie McCabe Madame Lefrancois – Siobahn Finneran Monsieur Homais/Priest – David Fleeshman Léon Dupuis – James D’Arcy Monsieur Lheureux – Seamus O’Neill Félicité – Sarah Jayne Hallworth Rodolphe Boulanger – Jude Akuwudike Justin – Sam Curtis Berthe Bovary – Daisy Jones Written by Gustave Flaubert Dramatised by Diana Griffiths from a translation by Margaret Mauldon Pianist: Stephen Reynolds Produced by Pauline Harris First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4-15 September 2006

Gustave Flaubert (Author), Conrad Nelson, John Hurt, Sarah Smart (Narrator)

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Howard's End: A BBC Radio 4 full cast dramatisation

Spring 1905, England. When Helen Schlegel goes to stay at Howard's End - the country home of the Wilcox family, her own life, along with that of her sister Margaret, is changed forever. This is the tale of three families at the beginning of the twentieth century: the rich Wilcoxes, the gentle, idealistic Schlegels and the lower-middle class Basts. Frequently cited as E. M. Forster's finest work, Howard's End brilliantly explores class warfare, conflict and the English character. This BBC dramatisation skilfully brings the classic novel to life.Starring John Hurt as the Narrator, Lisa Dillon as Margaret Schlegel, Jill Cardo as Helen Schlegel, Tom Ferguson as Tibby Schlegel, Alexandra Mathie as Aunt Juley, Malcolm Raeburn as Henry Wilcox, Ann Rye as Ruth Wilcox and Joseph Kloska as Charles Wilcox.

E.M. Forster (Author), , Alexandra Mathie, Ann Rye, Jill Cardo, John Hurt, Joseph Kloska, Lisa Dillon, Malcolm Raeburn, Tom Ferguson (Narrator)

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E. M. Forster: A BBC Radio Collection

Dramatisations and readings of EM Forster's finest works, plus Stephen Wakelam's radio play A Dose of Fame and the documentary feature Forster in India: Sex, Books and Empire One of the greatest English novelists of the 20th century, EM Forster was also an accomplished short story writer. This collection includes stunning adaptations of his classic novels A Passage to India, Where Angels Fear to Tread, A Room with a View and Howards End. Among the star casts are Penelope Wilton, Ellie Kendrick, Sian Thomas, Emilia Fox, Sheila Hancock and John Hurt. Also featured are four of his short tales - 'The Story of the Siren' (read by Dan Stevens), 'The Road from Colonus' (read by Andrew Sachs), 'The Obelisk' (read by Ruth Wilson) and 'Ansell' (read by Peter Kenny). Forster's posthumous novel, Maurice, is dramatised with a full cast and stars Alex Wyndham and Bertie Carvel, while Stephen Wakelam's drama A Dose of Fame, starring Stephen Campbell Moore as Forster, sees the author grappling with a mysterious death, his own sexuality and an idea for his next novel. In addition, Zareer Masani presents a revealing Radio 3 profile exploring Forster's literature, love life and personal passage to India.

E.M. Forster (Author), Ellie Kendrick, Emilia Fox, John Hurt, Penelope Wilton, Sheila Hancock, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by John Hurt